Artwork
Elijah fed by the ravens
Elijah fed by the ravens is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Roelant Savery. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
In 1634 Roelant Savery painted *Elijah fed by the ravens* on a copper support. The work belongs to the religious genre of the Dutch Golden Age and is now part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It presents a compact, atmospheric scene that combines landscape and narrative elements in a modestly sized composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image visualises the biblical episode in which the prophet Elijah survives in the wilderness, sustained by ravens. Though the title identifies the prophet, the composition focuses on the surrounding environment—a rocky terrain with a modest waterfall—suggesting the harshness of the desert and the divine provision that sustains life.
Technique & Style
Savery employed a muted palette of browns and greens, rendering the sky with cloudy, dim tones. Thick, impasto brushstrokes give texture to the craggy rocks and foliage, while a solitary bird on the ground adds a subtle narrative cue. The figures near the water are rendered with restrained detail, emphasizing the landscape’s dominance.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the painting reflects Savery’s Flemish origins and his activity within the Dutch artistic milieu. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Dutch Golden Age religious art.
Context
During the Dutch Golden Age, biblical subjects were frequently interpreted through naturalistic settings, aligning spiritual themes with the era’s fascination with detailed landscapes. Savery’s choice of copper as a support allowed for fine rendering of light and texture, a medium favored by artists seeking luminous effects in small-scale works.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Roelant Savery (or Roeland(t) Maertensz Saverij, or de Savery, or many variants; 1576 – buried 25 February 1639) was a Flanders-born Dutch Golden Age painter.
